New Study Suggests Dog Owners Care More About Their Pets Than Cat Owners

A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Copenhagen has shed light on the varying degrees of pet care provided by owners, particularly in the context of dogs and cats. Published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, the study surveyed pet owners across three European countries, including Denmark, the U.K., and Austria. The aim was to understand the extent to which these owners care for their feline and canine companions.

To gauge pet owners’ feelings, the researchers used the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS), a tool comprising 23 statements about the owners’ attachment to their pets, such as, “I believe that my pet is my best friend.” The study also delved into areas like pet health insurance and the willingness to pay for life-saving treatments to assess the level of care provided to pets.

Across the three affluent and urbanized countries, which exhibited similar socioeconomic conditions, the results revealed interesting trends. After surveying 17,747 pet owners, evenly split between dog and cat owners, the researchers observed a preference for dogs in the U.K., a more pronounced preference in Austria, and an even stronger one in Denmark. In all three countries, dog owners scored higher on the LAPS, were more likely to insure their pets, and expressed a greater willingness to spend on life-saving treatments.

However, the study acknowledged that the extent to which pet owners care about their pets may vary by country. In the U.K., the difference between dogs and cats was “very modest,” indicating that the preference for dogs was not universal.

The study aimed to test the “behavior hypothesis,” which suggests that the behavior of pets influences owners’ feelings. However, the researchers found that the culture surrounding pets, termed the “cultural hypothesis,” played a more significant role in shaping the level of care provided.

Various studies explored how dogs and cats are cared for by their owners. Some proposed that indoor cats, often seen as closer to their owners, tend to receive more care, as seen in Mexico and the U.S., where many cats are primarily kept indoors.

In contrast, in the U.K. and Denmark, where most cats have outdoor access, owners tend to care less about their feline companions. The study suggests that the degree of care may be influenced by the level of contact and dependence, among other factors.

The study does acknowledge its limitations, including focusing on pet owners in only three European countries, and suggests that more research in other regions is necessary. The key message from the study is that the extent of care provided to dogs and cats is not solely determined by the nature of the animals and may evolve as human lifestyles change.